158. Transfer Seal

Sora exited Uzumaki Miyuki's consciousness space and returned to reality.

Miyuki lay unconscious on the ground, but her body had returned to normal, no longer enveloped by the Tailed Beast chakra.

Namikaze Minato rushed to Miyuki's side immediately, gathering her into his arms with concern etched across his face.

Sora turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Lord Hokage, we've succeeded."

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled deeply and issued his commands. "Bring Lady Mito's body back to Konoha. Minato, I'm entrusting Miyuki to your care. The rest of you, erase all evidence of what transpired here. This matter is to remain strictly confidential—it's an S-rank secret of Konoha!"

The ANBU operatives began removing all traces of the sealing ritual.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Danzo prepared to depart with his Root agents.

As he passed by Sora, Danzo offered rare praise. "You've done well."

When Namikaze Minato walked past carrying Miyuki, he looked at Sora with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Sora."

Sora's expression remained neutral. "I was simply following orders."

Once everything was settled, Sora returned home.

Upon entering, he found Uzumaki Kushina sitting alone on the sofa in darkness, not having bothered to turn on any lights.

"Sora, you're back. Is it over?" she asked softly.

Sora nodded. "Yes, it's all finished."

Kushina's voice trembled as she asked, "Then Grandmother Mito...?"

"Has passed away," he confirmed gently.

Kushina's entire body trembled. After a long silence, she bit her lip and tried to appear composed. "I see..."

Sora stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "You can cry if you need to. There's no need to hold back in front of me."

Kushina buried her face against his chest and began to sob quietly. Soon, like a dam breaking, her cries grew louder and more anguished. She clutched his clothing tightly as she wept openly.

Sora rubbed her back soothingly, offering silent comfort.

For Kushina, Uzumaki Mito had been her only true family. Despite their differences regarding the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki matter, Kushina had always regarded Mito as her closest relative.

The loss of a loved one could not be borne without grief.

Kushina cried for a long time before finally falling asleep in Sora's arms.

Sora accessed his system and received a notification.

[Witnessing the death of Uzumaki Mito: 5,000 witness points awarded. Host successfully changed the original Nine-Tails Jinchūriki: Additional 15,000 witness points awarded]

Excluding points already spent, Sora's witness points now totaled 60,000.

A few days later, Uzumaki Mito's funeral was held.

To maintain secrecy regarding Jinchūriki matters, few people were notified of the funeral, resulting in a small attendance.

Those present included Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, Uzumaki Miyuki, Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina, Sora, Tsunade (who had hurriedly returned to the village), and a handful of Mito's former students.

Kushina stood beside Sora, gazing at Mito's tombstone with sorrowful eyes.

After paying their respects, Sora approached Miyuki. "Could we speak privately?"

Miyuki nodded, then glanced at Minato standing beside her.

Minato smiled understandingly. "I'll wait for you over there."

Sora gently touched Kushina's head. "I need to repay a debt. Kushina, please wait for me here."

Kushina was momentarily puzzled, then quickly realized what Sora meant by repaying a debt.

"Alright," she agreed softly.

Sora and Miyuki walked to a secluded area where they wouldn't be overheard.

"How are you feeling?" Sora inquired.

Miyuki shook her head. "Other than some difficulty controlling my chakra flow, nothing else has changed. What did you want to discuss?"

Activating his Mangekyō Sharingan, Sora said, "Kushina and I are deeply grateful to you. I want to give you a gift."

"Transfer Seal—Ten Thousand Rejections!"

Sora's Mangekyō Sharingan began to spin rapidly, leaving a trail of bloody tears from his left eye.

In Miyuki's left eye, a brief image of Sora's Mangekyō Sharingan pattern appeared before quickly vanishing.

Miyuki winced, covering her eye in confusion. "What was that?"

Sora explained, "It's an ocular sealing technique. A Sharingan user can look into the target's eyes and seal a 'jutsu' either within themselves or the target. When specific 'conditions' are met, the seal automatically unlocks and the 'jutsu' activates."

"I've sealed the technique of my left Mangekyō Sharingan in your left eye. The condition is simple: when your life is in grave danger, this seal will automatically unlock and activate. The technique is called Wanji—it automatically rejects any jutsu except its own. There is a time limit, however; it only lasts for three minutes."

Miyuki sighed. "Sora, you and Kushina don't owe me anything. This was simply a transaction between you and me, wasn't it?"

Sora spread his hands. "It was indeed a transaction, but that was before you became friends with Kushina. Now that you're her friend, you're my friend as well."

"Among friends, this can't be viewed as a mere transaction. You've taken Kushina's place as the Jinchūriki, and both of us are profoundly grateful. This is our way of expressing our gratitude—though it's hardly adequate compensation. I'll find other ways to repay you in the future."

Miyuki declined with another sigh. "There's truly no need for compensation. I'm not dissatisfied with my current life. I have stability and someone who loves me—I'm content."

Sora shook his head firmly. "The compensation is necessary. It will ease Kushina's conscience and strengthen the lasting friendship between you two."

Miyuki smiled knowingly. "You really do love Kushina."

Sora returned her smile with a rare warmth. "Of course. I would do anything for her." He glanced back toward the others. "We should return now. Minato is waiting for you, and Kushina for me. Farewell."

He waved to Miyuki before turning to leave.

Miyuki watched as Sora and Kushina walked away together. Sora's typically impassive face softened into a gentle smile when he looked at Kushina, while her face radiated happiness. Miyuki felt a touch of envy at their obvious bond.

She turned her gaze to Minato, who waited patiently in the distance, and smiled softly. She had found her own happiness as well—there was no need for envy.

The two couples—Sora and Uzumaki Kushina, Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Miyuki—parted ways and returned to their respective homes.

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